News
04.03.2026
Design Features of Effective Gifted Education in Mathematics
A Systematic Overview of the Current Knowledge
Despite numerous programs for mathematically gifted students, the number of students with exceptional mathematical abilities is declining. But how should enrichment programs for mathematically gifted secondary school students be designed? This question is addressed in a new systematic literature review by Dr. Peter Kaiser (HIB, University of Tübingen) and Dr. Moritz Zehnder (University of Bayreuth).
Analyzing 49 empirical studies, the authors identify a total of 32 key design features of successful enrichment programs. These can be assigned to six components of learning environments: tasks, content, methods, media, partners, and classroom structure.
The results show that many design features align with the principles of high-quality mathematics instruction. At the same time, research gaps remain, particularly regarding the effects of individual design features.
The study thus provides an important foundation for the evidence-based development of enrichment concepts in mathematical gifted education, one of the main research areas of Dr. Peter Kaiser, who focuses on the support of mathematically gifted learners and on didactical questions in mathematics education.
Publikation
Kaiser, P., & Zehnder, M. (2026). Design features of gifted education in mathematics for secondary school students: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Education, 11, 1769788. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2026.1769788
Pressekontakt
Philipp Sigle
presse@lead.uni-tuebingen.de
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